by Evan C. GutierrezGuitarist/producer Bob Gallarza got his start playing live in clubs all over Hollywood throughout the '60s. Though Gallarza forged powerful relationships with artists like Al Wilson and Ike and Tina Turner, it was the Grammy-winning 5th Dimension that snapped him up. For the next 15 years Gallarza toured internationally, performing before enormous audiences and catching the ear of some of the industry's most powerful players. His work with the 5th Dimension offered him opportunities to work with greats like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Gladys Knight, Neil Sedaka, and more. In 1984, Gallarza moved to Texas in hopes of finding a new sound. Beginning with his collaborations with musical legend Little Joe Hernandez, Gallarza quickly became a major player in the emerging tejano genre. Gallarza and Little Joe brought major-label power to what was previously a niche market and created what is now known as the golden age of tejano. Gallarza went on to produce such artists as Ruben Ramos, Stefani Montiel, Elsa Garcia, the Latin Breed, and David Marez to name only a few. For his work with the style's leading artists, his multiple awards included two Grammys; Gallarza is sometimes called the "Quincy Jones of Tejano." Gallarza has been inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame and sits on the Board of Governors for the Grammys.